Vikas Swarup, Om Puri in Cannes limelight

Bestselling Indian author Vikas Swarup and veteran actor Om Puri are not physically present at the ongoing 62nd Cannes Film Festival but they are nonetheless receiving their share of media spotlight by virtue of being part of prestigious upcoming international movie projects.

Bestselling Indian author Vikas Swarup and veteran actor Om Puri are not physically present at the ongoing 62nd Cannes Film Festival but they are nonetheless receiving their share of media spotlight by virtue of being part of prestigious upcoming international movie projects.

Swarup, who hit the big time thanks to the worldwide success of Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, an adaptation of his bestselling Q&A, has made another breakthrough for Indian writers in English. His new book, Six Suspects, which revolves around the killing of a playboy, is being developed by BBC Films into a new feature.

Interestingly, according to media reports here, the proposed film has an indirect link with Danny Boyle — it is being scripted by John Hodge, whose screenwriting credits include Trainspotting and Shallow Grave, among other films directed by the Irish filmmaker. It is, however, not known yet who will be in the director’s chair for the adaptation of Six Suspects.

BBC Films has also announced a sequel to the 1999 hit East is East with Om Puri returning as the Pakistani fish and chips shop owner George Khan, who struggles to ensure that his brood stays within the strict confines of culturally appropriate behaviour.

It has been revealed that the new film, titled West is West, begins after George Khan has relocated to Pakistan with his family.

While West is West will be directed by newcomer Andy DeEmmony, it will be scripted by Ayub Khan-Din who wrote East is East.